Hydraulic inching drive system

Abstract

An inching drive mechanism which affords the capability of rotating the plate and blanket cylinders of a printing press in an automated fashion by utilizing a hydraulically powered motor, a gear train and a pneumatic clutch. The hydraulic motor produces torque which is transmitted via the gear train to the pneumatic clutch. When the pneumatic clutch is engaged, the torque is transmitted to and rotates the plate and blanket cylinders of the printing press.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of rotating a plate cylinder in a printing press, said method comprising the steps of: providing means for transmission of power, said power transmission means including a transmission input member and a transmission output member and a plurality of gear members therebetween;   providing power input means operatively coupled to said transmission input member, said power input means including an electrically actuated hydraulic motor and a hydraulic control valve mounted on and operatively connected to said hydraulic motor;   providing power output means operatively coupled to said plate cylinder, said power output means including a driving cup member and an output gear member, said driving cup member being fixedly mounted to said output gear member, said driving cup member including a plurality of tooth members and an annular housing;   providing clutch system means for driving engagement of said transmission output member with said power output means, said clutch system means including at least one clutch plate member, a clutch housing enclosing said clutch plate member, a clutch shaft having a first end fixedly mounted to said clutch housing and a second end operatively connected to said transmission output member;   activating said hydraulic motor;   transmitting power from said hydraulic motor to said transmission input member;   transmitting power through said power transmission means to said transmission output member;   engaging said clutch system means; and,   transmitting power from said transmission output member to said power output means.   
     
     
       2. In as printing press having at least one plate cylinder, inching means for driving said plate cylinder to permit the replacement of plates, and drive train means for driving said plate cylinder, said inching means operating independent of said drive train means, said inching means comprising: means for transmission of power, said power transmission means including a transmission input member and a transmission output member and a plurality of spur gear members operatively connected in series relationship therebetween;   power input means operatively coupled to said transmission input member, said power input means including an electrically actuated hydraulic motor and a hydraulic control valve mounted on and operatively connected to said hydraulic motor;   power output means operatively coupled to said plate cylinder, said power output means including a driving cup member and an output gear member, said driving cup member being fixedly mounted to said output gear member, said driving cup member including a plurality of tooth members and annular housing; and,   clutch system means for driving engagement of said transmission output member with said power output means, said clutch system means including at least one clutch plate member, a clutch housing enclosing said clutch plate member, a clutch shaft having a first end fixedly mounted to said clutch housing and a second end operatively connected to said transmission output member.   
     
     
       3. An inching drive mechanism for driving a plate cylinder in a printing press to permit the replacement of plates, said inching drive mechanism comprising: means for transmission of power, said power transmission means including a transmission input member and a transmission output member and a plurality of gear members therebetween;   power input means which includes a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic control valve operatively connected to said hydraulic motor, and a driveshaft member having a first-end fixedly mounted to said hydraulic motor and a second-end operatively connected to said transmission input member;   power output means engageable with a plate cylinder; and,   clutch system means for driving engagement of said transmission output member with said power output means.   
     
     
       4. The inching drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein said hydraulic control valve includes means for variable control of said hydraulic motor. 
     
     
       5. The inching drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein said clutch system means includes at least one clutch plate member, a clutch housing enclosing said clutch plate member, and a clutch shaft having a first end fixedly mounted to said clutch housing and a second end operatively connected to said transmission output member. 
     
     
       6. The inching drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein said power output means includes a driving cup member and an output gear member, said driving cup member being fixedly mounted to said output gear member. 
     
     
       7. The inching drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein said driving cup member further comprises a plurality of tooth members and an annular housing, said tooth members being fixedly mounted to said annular housing. 
     
     
       8. The inching drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein said plurality of gear members of the power transmission means is a gear train, said gear train including a motor gear, an idler gear and a shaft gear in series relationship in said gear train.